The new Tracy business is located between the public library
and the American Cable office.

We have movies on both video and DVD, said owner
Kelly Snelling. We also rent DVD players for those people
who want the higher quality sound and picture, but don't have a
player at home. I'm looking forward to doing business with
Tracy.

Snelling, came to Tracy from Tehachapi, California ten months
ago. She is new to the video business. Most recently she's worked
at Almlie's Furniture of Tracy.

Methodist minister ishappy to be in
Tracy

Pastor Alan Bolte and his wife, Cindy, say they feel right at
home in Tracy.

Bolte, the new pastor at Tracy United Methodist Church,
previously farmed for over 20 years near Butterfield, before
becoming a Methodist minister.

We raised both crops and hogs. I worked for a time in a
large dairy cattle operation as well," explains Pastor
Bolte. It's nice to stay in a small, rural town like this
one where everyone is friendly.

The Boltes moved from Butterfield to Dayton, Ohio, where Alan
attended the United Theological Center. He was ordained as a
Methodist minister in June of 1997.

TAMS finances show vigor

Tracy Area Medical Services posted a strong financial month in
May.

Net income for the month was $55,442. Gross operational
revenue exceeded the budgeted amount by $33,236. Tracy Area
Medical Services includes revenues for both the hospital and
clinic.

We had a great month, said Administrator Dan
Reiner. Everything is working well.

There were 37 May admissions, and with an average length of
stay at 3.35 days.

Reiner said that for Medicare reimbursement purposes, an
average length of stay of 3.99 would be ideal.

Stacy Barstad, hospital accountant, said that financial
figures look positive for June as well.

Doggone it! City asksdog owners to
clean upcanine poop problem

Mayor Claire Hannasch phrased the problem delicately.

We have a problem where people are letting their dogs
loose and allowing them to do their business on public property
or other people's property, said the mayor, addressing city
council members Monday night. People let their dogs run
loose in the park, and then kids go to the park and play...it's
not a pleasant situation.

Public Works Director Don Polzine said the problem of dog
excrement can be seen in downtown areas too, on public sidewalks
and in grassy areas the city mows.

City ordinance requires dog owners to clean up after pets.
Unleashed dogs running loose in the city are prohibited.

Hannasch expressed the hope that a friendly reminder to
citizens will alleviate the problem, The dog owner, he said, is
ultimately responsible for the actions of their pets. If the
problem doesn't improve, Hannasch said the council will revisit
the issue.

44 Balaton students registered next
fall at Tracy area High

How many students from the Balaton school
district will attend Tracy Area High School next year?

John Rokke, TAHS principal, told board members
Monday night that he won't know for sure until the first day of
school. But as of this week, Rokke said that 44 Balaton students,
grades 9-12, are registered to take classes at TAHS next fall.
That's up five from the 39 students Rokke reported were
registered two weeks ago.

The Balaton Public School administration has
grades 9-12 tuition agreements in place wit both the Tracy and
Marshall school districts. Balaton students can choose to attned
either school under the tuitioning agreements. Earlier this
spring, the Balaton school board voted to close grades 9-12. (The
Balaton school board also agreed to sonsor a 9-12 charter school,
which recently recdeived state approval.)

Farmers anxious to finish spraying,
cultivating work

Just as dry weather hindered crop growth early
this spring recent wet weather has slowed area field work
recently.

with some windy weather and 1 inch of rain in
the Tracy area this past weekend, farmers have been presented
with sporadic opportunities to spray and cultivate. This puts
field work slightly behind schedule.

University of Minnesota Lyon County Extension
Agronomist Anne Boontra comments, "The rains and winds
experienced recently have farmers falling behind in post-emergent
herbicide application. The weather needs to cooperate for a
little while for farmers to accomplish this important aspect of
farming."